how many inches above plant would you say I should place the light?
It depends on what type of light you got
If you got Cfl`s then you can put them about 2 or 3 " above them
If you got some type of hid , hps or mh
Then just high enough where your not burning them and shit
you can use your hand for measurement
put your hand right over your plant and leave it their
if your hand gets to hot or uncomfortable then your plant feels the same way